Armor Scarce for Big Trucks Transporting Cargo in Iraq. This from the NYT,

"Congress released statistics Thursday documenting stark shortages in armor for the military transport trucks that ferry food, fuel and ammunition along dangerous routes in Iraq, while President Bush and his defense secretary both spoke out to defuse public criticism."

So despite reports that the question to Rumsfeld about the lack of armor being "planted," concerns about the lack of armor are very real.

The committee said more than three-quarters of the 19,854 Humvees in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait carry protective armor, which can vary in quality. The most secure are factory-armored Humvees, and the Pentagon has received only 5,910 of the 8,105 that commanders say they need. But only 10 percent of the 4,814 medium-weight transport trucks have armor, and only 15 percent of the 4,314 heavy transport vehicles.

The NYT's report notes that "Among troops in Iraq, i.e.d., for improvised explosive device, is shorthand for the roadside bombs that have killed about two-thirds of Americans who have died in combat." So while Rummy and Georgie claim that "you have to go to war with the Army you have, not the Army you want," one has to wonder given the lack of WMD what exactly was the rush if we didn't have the equipment ready? Was it because Big Daddy & Georgie knew that if they gave the UN inspectors more time they would discover no WMD? And without the bogus claim of WMD and fighting terrorism that Georgie would be getting ready to move back to his ranch to drown his sorrows in whiskey?

So remember, put that sticker on the back of your car saying you "support" our troops...especially if you voted for Georgie and the Radical Republicans.
posted by Idle Crank at 12/10/2004 01:13:00 PM